Ileana Solis Palma Energy and Magnetism of Celedonio

In this excerpt, Ileana discusses the unique energy and magnetism that made Celedonio Molinar’s embodiment of the devil character within the Congo tradition of Portobelo, Panama so special.

Ileana Solis Palma Legacy of Celedonio

In this excerpt, Solís discusses what she believes is the legacy of Celedonio Molinar, renowned Major Devil in the Congo tradition of Portobelo, Panama.

Ileana Solis Palma Enchantment at Seeing Celedonio

In this excerpt, Solís discusses the enchantment she felt the first time that she witnessed Celedonio Molinar performing the role of Major Devil, the baptism of the devils, and how she learned about the performance traditions of Portobelo, Panama.

Raul Orlando Jimenez Delgado Participation of Family Members in Congo

In this excerpt, Jiménez talks about the participation of other family members in the Congo tradition, including an older brother who has performed the role of Pajarito and a younger brother who has performed the role of devil. His father, Andrés, also performed in the role of priest in the Congo tradition and, like him, was trained in his role by Celedonio Molinar.

Raul Orlando Jimenez Delgado Portobelo as Birthplace of Devil Character

In this excerpt, Jiménez discuses the ways in which the 20th century notion of the devil character in the Congo tradition of Panama was “born” in Portobelo and discusses the ways in which his mentor in the tradition, Celedonio Molinar, brought back the practice of “Blessing the Devils.”

Raul Orlando Jimenez Delgado Becoming Major Devil

In this excerpt, Jiménez discusses how he began to play the role of the Major Devil character in the Congo tradition of Portobelo, Panama when Carlos Chavarria took a sabbatical from the role to study abroad in Russia.

Raul Orlando Jimenez Delgado Significance of Devil

In this excerpt, Jiménez discusses the significance of the devil character to the Congo tradition of Panama and his perspective on playing the Major Devil character.

Simona Esquina Razor Blades in Devil Whips

In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the changes she has seen in the Congo tradition over the course of her lifetime. Specifically, she talks about changes that she has witnessed in ways in which younger practitioners who perform the role of devil in other communities sometimes put razor blades in their whips, which violates the nature of the game.